France WEG 2014: Test Event Feedback

Alltechfeiweg2014-normandy.com

9/16/2013

Numerous people took part in the three test events in August 2013: the riders and the pacesetters, of course, but also the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, the discipline managers, the French Equestrian Federation (FFE), the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), journalists, volunteers, etc. We take a look at what they thought of these events.

Vittoria Panizzon, winner of the Eventing on Merlots Magic:

I’m really delighted. I had never been to Le Pin National Stud before and I really liked the setting as well as the course. I’m sure that the Games will be watched by many people next year. And if we can benefit from the same support and the same atmosphere as last year at the London Olympics, it will be fantastic.

Chester Weber, winner of the Driving:

I was really impressed by the competition venue. There is nothing better than bringing sport to the people, so I’m really happy that the event took place here, in the centre of Caen. I was very impressed with the surface too. I still think that there are a few details to sort out with regard to the surface for the dressage and the cones, but I liked the sand surface a lot. You can tell that the organisers have worked really hard on it.

Jean-Marc Varillon, manager of the Eventing discipline:

The review is positive on the whole: the cross-country course is excellent, the new timing technology works well, the convoy that took the horses from Le Pin National Stud to Caen went smoothly, the members of the Organising Committee and the volunteers worked well together... There are still a lot of things to do in preparation for 2014, but we’re confident.

Nicolas Wahlen, manager of the Endurance discipline:

The hardest thing is done: the route has been approved by the majority of the riders. Nevertheless, the 4 loops ridden in 2013, plus the new loop for 2014, still need to be improved so that the surface is better quality. The race went smoothly thanks to the new timing and pulse-taking technology, as well as the competent and well-respected judges. I would like to thank the competitors, who all got on board with the idea of a more eco-friendly race...

Read more here:
http://www.alltechfeiweg2014-normandy.com/en/news/test-event-feedback--a228.html

German completes epic 25,000km ride in Alaska

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Sep 18, 2013

German adventurer Guenter Wamser has completed his epic 20-year ride from Patagonia to central Alaska, ending one of the greatest horseback journeys in human history.

“A few days ago we arrived at our final destination in Alaska,” Wamser told Horsetalk by email.

“This is the end of my long horseback ride from Argentina to Alaska.

“We found a big pasture for the horses, so they got a few days to relax before we travel south to their wintering pasture at a friend’s place in Canada...”

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/09/18/german-completes-epic-ride-alaska/#axzz2fFhMbF8F

France wins team gold at European Endurance Champs

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

By Horsetalk.co.nz on Sep 18, 2013

France has again won team gold at the FEI Open European Endurance Championships, but Jaume Punti Dachs kept the individual title in Spanish hands when he won on Quran El Ulm.

The UAE’s Sheikh Rashid Dalmook al Maktoum won the Open European Individual gold with Yamamah...

Read more here:
http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/09/18/france-team-gold-european-endurance-champs/#axzz2fFhMbF8F

Czech Republic: Dachs keeps it in the family with the European Gold

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

September 15, 2013
By Pamela@horsereporter

September 16, 2013, Most, Czech Republic ~ As the 88 competitors representing 23 countries left the start it was minus the current European Champion, Spain’s Maria Alverez Ponton and her steady champion mount, Nobby. Husband, Juma Punti Dachs, commented that after the recent birth of their third child, Anna, his wife did not currently feel fit enough to compete in a 160km Championship.

From the onset Dachs was up front and with a broad smile he crossed the finish to yet again have the family name on the winners trophy. Riding the 9-year old French-bred grey stallion, Quran El Ulm, he won the Meydan FEI European Championship in 7h 42m 40s ( 20.879kmph). Quran El Ulm (Ulm de Domenjoi x Movoska by Persik)

Another name missing from the line-up was that of HH Sh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, winner of the test ride last year, who is recovering from a leg injury. So the question was could the UAE’s Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri retain his crown of Open European Champion. After a closely fought contest between the Middle East countries it was Sh Rashid Bin Dalmook All Maktoum who stormed ahead to win the Open Gold trophy for the UAE in 7h 24m 44s ( 21.721kmph)...

Read more here:
http://www.horsereporter.com/?p=7903

Latest drugs scandal casts shadow over Sheikh Mohammed - the most powerful man in racing

Mirror.co.uk - Full Article

14 September 2013
by David Yates

Backer: Horseracing would be in dire straits without Sheikh Mohammed's cash

It was back in June 1977 that the John Dunlop-trained Hatta won Brighton’s Bevendene Maiden Stakes to give Sheikh Mohammed his first victory as a racehorse owner.

In the intervening years, the sheikh, his family and associates have won thousands of races — including hundreds at the highest level — and reshaped the landscape of the British turf.

The universally accepted way of viewing the Maktoums’ patronage of racing — not once have I heard contrary sentiments expressed in public — is to see it as nearly four decades of beneficence.

Racing is needy and the Maktoums are wealthy. We are lucky to have them — but, in every relationship, there is a tipping point. On Tuesday, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the seizure of a cache of 124 unlicensed veterinary medicines at Moorley Farm, part of Sheikh Mohammed’s Dalham Hall Stud estate in Newmarket.

Moorley Farm is where endurance horses — who compete in long-distance events of up to 100 miles, held in Britain and all over the world — not thoroughbreds, are housed, so the British Horseracing Authority immediately distanced itself from action.

On Wednesday, the Maktoums’ endurance trainer Jaume Punti Dachs issued a statement to protest there was “nothing sinister” about the affair — although DEFRA has yet to conclude its report, and a criminal investigation by the police remains a possibility...

Read more here:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/sheikh-mohammed-rogue-trainers-2271812

Spain: Jauma Punti Wins Gold Medal in European Championship Raid

El Raid Blog - Gabriel Gamiz

[google translation]

September 16 2013

On the official website of the Catalan Federation of Equestrian, have published Jaume Punti triumph in the European Championship 2013 in Most Raid and the Silver Medal won by the Spanish team.

This is the news:

The Jaume Punti, new European champion RAID

The Catalan rider, Jaume Punti, has achieved Gold medal in the European Championships of RAID, which was held during this weekend in the Czech town of Most. In addition to the gold medal, the Spanish team also added the silver medal in a team of Jaume Punti, Laia Muixí and Javier Cervera.

The new European champion, competed on the back of Quran The Ulm, getting make the journey in a time of 7 hours, 42 minutes and 40 seconds, beating Jean-Philippe Frances Qrafik The Majorie and Kamila Kart with Raila des Sables, which finished second and third respectively. The also Catalan Laia Muixí, made a good tournament, finishing in eleventh place, while Javier Cervera, was ranked fourteenth.

For teams, the Gold Medal, would finally for the France, while Spain achieved the silver medal, while the bronze would be for the Italian team.

Source: FCH.
Greetings from Gabriel.

Royal Cavalry shines in Czech endurance race

Omantribune.com

MOST (Czech Republic) Rider Abdullah Bin Said Al Siyabi astride ‘Punjab’ of the Royal Cavalry, passed the stages of the Europe Open Endurance Championship, held at Most city in Czech Republic. The 160km race saw the participation of 91 riders from 23 countries.

The Royal Cavalry team for the event comprised of five riders, who qualified for the finals of the championship after passing international races, which were organised by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.

Brigadier Abdul Razaq Bin Abdul Qadir Al Shahwarzi, Commander of the Royal Cavalry, said the participation of the Royal Cavalry at the finals of the Europe Open Endurance Championship is an achievement for the Royal Cavalry as the team was thoroughly prepared to continue its good show at various international events.

He added that six riders from the Royal Cavalry qualified for the World Endurance Championship 2014 to be held in France.

Major Sinan Bin Sulaiman Al Abri, head of the team, said the participation of the Royal Cavalry riders at the Europe Open Endurance Championship came after they passed international races, besides taking part in major European races, which will benefit the technical team to assess the level of the team before participating at the World Endurance Championship 2014.

Oman News Agency